Motor and somatosensory evoked potentials in cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
We recorded upper and lower limb MEPs and SEPs in 55 patients with clinically suggestive and myelography-documented cervical cord compression due to spondylotic changes. MEPs were abnormal in biceps brachii of 21 patients (38%), in first dorsal interosseous muscle of the hand of 49 patients (89%) and in tibialis anterior of 47 patients (85%). Overall, MEP abnormalities were present in at least one muscle of 51/55 patients (93%). Median SEPs were abnormal in 20 cases (36%), ulnar SEPs in 24 (44%) and posterior tibial SEPs in 40 (73%). Overall incidence of SEP alterations was 73% (40/55) and SEPs detected clinically silent sensory dysfunction in 10 patients (18%). Among the 43 patients who underwent surgical decompression, first dorsal interosseous (FDI) MEPs and tibial SEPs remained abnormal in most cases 1 year after surgery, independently of clinical outcome. On the other hand, serial EP studies seemed useful to confirm and monitor the clinical evolution of unoperated patients.
de Noordhout
A M
AM
University Department of Neurology, Hôpital de la Citadelle, Liège, Belgium.
Myressiotis
S
S
Delvaux
V
V
Born
J D
JD
Delwaide
P J
PJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000502:physiology*; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery